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Volunteer at President's Park

Volunteers are very important people who help us achieve our mission by keeping the park safe, educating others, and preserving it for future generations to enjoy! We encourage you to join the community of volunteers nationwide who donate their time and talent to our national parks. Come and support the mission of President's Park through a variety of volunteer opportunities!

Basically, anyone can volunteer, though some positions may have age limits. Volunteers must be physically able to do the job agreed upon. Youth under the age of 18 may volunteer with the written permission of a parent or guardian. Youth interested in paid summer employment may read more about opportunities at President's Park at our park's youth programs site. President's Park is currently seeking Boy Scout volunteersfor a number of positions within the park.

Volunteer Opportunities

Visitor Services

Visitor Services Volunteers work at the information desks at the White House Visitor Center or at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion, help with White House tour operations, or rove the park. Most volunteers work 4-6 hour shifts, once a week.

Overview:
President's Park, which includes the park lands surrounding the White House, is composed of approximately 60 acres and is home for many significant statues, memorials and structures. The four main sections of the park outside the White House grounds are: the vast open parade ground known as the Ellipse; 1st Division Memorial, Sherman Park, where the famous general once reviewed his troops returning from the Civil War; and Lafayette Park - home to statues honoring five American heroes, and for over a hundred years, the location for First Amendment activities.

Opportunity Description:
Volunteers will serve as a member of the Interpretive team with a primary focus on visitor center/public
information.

Duties Include:
• staffing the White House Visitor Center and the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion to disseminate information about
the park to visitors;
• assisting with tour operations;
• roving public areas to provide information to visitors;
• (optionally) developing and presenting interpretive talks on natural and cultural history to large groups;
• other duties, as arranged.

Required Skills:
• Desire to make a significant contribution to visitor services at President's Park
• Interest in American history
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to work well within a team, as well as carry out independent assignments
• Desire to work both outdoors and indoors
• Good verbal communication skills
• You will be required to wear an official National Park Service Volunteer uniform that will be provided to
you.

Benefits:
Volunteers receive training in NPS mission and policies, and in President's Park and White House history. They
have the opportunity to meet visitors from all over the world, receive a unique perspective on special events
relating to the White House, and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of President's Park, the centerpiece of
our American story.

Minimum Age:
Participants must be over 18 years of age. (16 with parental permission).

Resource Management

Volunteers who join the President's Park Patrol help to preserve and maintain the cultural landscape features of the Ellipse, Sherman and Lafayette Parks - all part of the President's back yard. They learn about the history of the green spaces surrounding the grounds of the White House while cleaning or assessing the condition of structures, weeding monument gardens, or gathering trash. This is a great way to take an active role in supporting your national park.

Overview:
President's Park, which includes the park lands surrounding the White House, is composed of approximately 82 acres and is home for many significant statues, memorials and structures. The three main sections of the park outside the White House fence line are: the vast open parade ground known as the Ellipse; Sherman Park, where the famous general once reviewed his troops returning from the Civil War; and Lafayette Park - home to statues honoring five American heroes, and for over a hundred years, the location for First Amendment activities.

Opportunity Description:
Join the President's Park Patrol - volunteers who help to preserve and maintain the cultural landscape features of the Ellipse, Sherman and Lafayette Parks - all part of the President's back yard. Learn about the history of the green spaces surrounding the grounds of the White House. Plan to get dirty while cleaning or assessing the condition of structures; weeding monument gardens; or gathering trash. Get involved and meet new people. Take an active role in managing your national park.

Minimum Age:
All ages are welcome. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent. All participants under 18 years of age are required to have a Volunteer Agreement signed by their parent or legal guardian. Forms are available on-line on the park's webpage. Forms will also be available from the work leader at the start of the work session.

Required skills:
No experience necessary. Training will be provided. Adults, families, and youth welcome. Fulfills community service requirements.

When & Where:
Call for more information.

What to Bring:
• Each volunteer must wear closed-toe shoes. Please wear clothes that can get dirty.
• Wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.
• Bring rain gear, if necessary.
• Bring water and snacks.
• Gloves, safety glasses and tools are provided.
• Bring the appropriate forms. (see below. Forms are also available from the work leader at the start of the
work session. )

Forms:
Please bring the following completed forms to the project.
• Youth/Adult/Groups: Complete the Volunteer Agreement and bring it with you to the event. Every
volunteer under the age of 18 must have a Volunteer Agreement with the parent/guardian approval
section signed and dated by their parent or legal guardian .
• Groups: Complete the Volunteer Agreement and fill out the Group Volunteer list.

Education

Are you a teacher, retired teacher or pursuing a career in teaching? Do you love history and enjoy working with children? If you are interested in learning about President's Park and sharing your knowledge with others, consider becoming an Education Volunteer. Volunteers develop and present guided walks and interpretive programs, assist with student education programs, and/or perform roving interpretation along park trails.

Overview:
President's Park, which includes the park lands surrounding the White House, is composed of approximately 82 acres and is home for many significant statues, memorials and structures. The three main sections of the park outside the White House fence line are: the vast open parade ground known as the Ellipse; Sherman Park, where the famous general once reviewed his troops returning from the Civil War; and Lafayette Park - home to statues honoring five American heroes, and for over a hundred years, the location for First Amendment activities.

Required Skills:
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work with a diverse community of people alongside with park personnel
• Enjoy interacting with a broad range of people
• Friendly, courteous, reliable
• Ability to work independently
• General knowledge of American History, and park natural & cultural resources
• Desire and ability to work outdoors, at times in inclement weather
• CPR and First Aid Trained (training can be provided)
• Ability to operate audio/visual equipment and other media after training .
• You will be required to wear an official National Park Service Volunteer uniform that will be provided to
you.

Benefits:
Volunteers receive training in NPS mission and policies, and in President's Park and White House history. They
have the opportunity to meet visitors from all over the world, receive a unique perspective on special events
relating to the White House, and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of President's Park, the centerpiece of
our American story.

Minimum Age:
Participants must be over 18 years of age.

Work Schedule:
As needed.

Lodging:
President's Park does not offer housing .

Application Material:
Please submit the following to Monamma AL-Ghuiyy, Volunteer Coordinator, at Monamma_AL-Ghuiyy@nps.gov
• Cover letter referencing the title of the position for which you are applying and dates of availability
• Volunteer application and resume (optional)

Apply

"Adopt" the Boy Scout Memorial

Resource Stewardship Opportunity for Scouts

The Boy Scout Memorial is one of the few memorials in Washington, DC, that commemorates a living group or person. The memorial was dedicated on November 7, 1964 and underwent a major rehabilitation in 2009.

As part of a nationwide program to introduce scouts to resource stewardship and to continue to honor Scouting and the improvements to the site undertaken in 2009, President's Park is currently recruiting volunteers for two positions: 2 to 3 conservation volunteer coordinators (must have achieved rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America) and Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Scout Teams, or Venturing Crews to "adopt" the memorial as a group. To sign up for either position, please visit volunteer.gov.

About the positions

The conservation volunteer coordinators will work with park staff to schedule and guide the adopting group. Working with the group, they will oversee their work to maintain the memorial and surrounding area; in addition, they will help the scouting group lean more about the memorial and President's Park by delivering a short overview of the park and memorial and providing time for reflection on the role of scouting and volunteer service in meeting the needs of the nation.

General Description of Volunteer Duties
Work will take place on Saturdays, for two to three hours, and you will coordinate with the President's Park Volunteer Coordinator to schedule dates when you will be available to lead Scouting groups. Before leading groups, you will receive training in the necessary maintenance tasks and interpreting the memorial. Your work may be supervised by a member of the maintenance department. Depending on park needs, volunteers from Scouting groups will assist with a variety of activities including washing and scrubbing the pavilion and statue; removing leaves, algae, and litter from the pool and pavilion; and maintaining landscaped areas around the memorial. Working under the supervision of park maintenance and grounds crew, volunteers may use hand tools, hoses, and specialized equipment in the completion of their duties. In addition to guiding and supervising volunteers in the described activities, you will help Scouting groups learn more about the memorial and President's Park, placing their service in context and allowing them to reflect on the role of Scouting and their own service in meeting the needs of the nation.

Required Equipment and Things to Keep in Mind
Please have a valid, government-issued photo ID (or student ID) with you at all times when you are in the park. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to respond to instructions from the US Park Police, Secret Service, or Federal Protective Service officers. Personal protective equipment, including gloves, galoshes or rain boots, and clothing that can get dirty would be helpful if you have it. You will be issued a vest to use during volunteering, to identify you as a National Park Service volunteer.

Adopting Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Scout Teams, or Venturing Crews will work for approximately two hours on one (or more) Saturdays between March 2013 and Thanksgiving. Working together and with park maintenance staff, the conservation volunteer coordinators and adopting groups will help to maintain the memorial statue, base, fountain and surrounding deck area, as well as other adjacent portions of the park.

Work will take place on Saturdays, for approximately two hours, and you will coordinate with the President's Park Volunteer Coordinator to schedule one or more dates when the group will serve. Groups will be led by an Eagle Scout in doing basic maintenance work, and may be supervised by a member of the maintenance department. Depending on park needs, volunteers from Scouting groups will assist with a variety of activities including washing and scrubbing the pavilion and statue; removing leaves, algae, and litter from the pool and pavilion; and maintaining landscaped areas around the memorial. Working under the supervision of park maintenance and grounds crew, volunteers may use hand tools, hoses, and specialized equipment in the completion of their duties. In addition to completing the described activities, scouts will have the opportunity to learn more about the memorial and President's Park, placing their service in context and reflecting on the role of Scouting and their service in meeting the needs of the nation.

Required Equipment and Things to Keep in Mind
Scouts should bring personal protective equipment, if possible, including gloves, galoshes or rain boots, and weather-appropriate clothing that may get dirty. Class B uniforms, if available, are recommended for work. Class A uniforms may be brought as well, especially for units interested in a photo opportunity. Youth will need to bring a signed parental consent form, so planning ahead of time is important to ensure all are included. We also appreciate each participant or legal guardian signing a photography release agreement.